Diltiazem HCI Tablets, 30mg

Immediate-Release Heart Tablets for Arrhythmias and Cardiac Disease in Pets

Product Description

Diltiazem HCl 30mg Tablets are a prescription immediate-release calcium channel blocker used by veterinarians to manage heart arrhythmias and cardiac disease in dogs, cats, and ferrets. It works by keeping calcium out of heart muscle and blood vessel smooth muscle cells, which brings the heart rate down, eases the force of contraction, and opens up the arteries. The immediate-release formulation hits peak effect within 30 to 45 minutes and is typically dosed multiple times daily, making it well suited for acute cardiac management and precise dose adjustment.

Benefits

• Rapid Arrhythmia Management: Gets cardiac rate under control faster than extended-release formulations, which is useful when dealing with acute arrhythmia in pets.
• Supraventricular Tachycardia Treatment: A go-to option for managing supraventricular tachycardia and atrial fibrillation in both dogs and cats.
• HCM Management in Cats: Supports better ventricular filling and takes some of the oxygen demand off the heart muscle in cats with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.
• Hypertension Control: Opens up the arteries to bring systemic and pulmonary hypertension down in dogs, cats, and ferrets under veterinarian supervision.
• Precise Dose Titration: The small 30mg size gives veterinarians more room to fine-tune the daily dose based on how each pet's heart is responding.

Ingredients

Active Ingredients

Diltiazem Hydrochloride

How to Use

Diltiazem HCl 30mg Tablets are a prescription-only medication. A valid veterinarian prescription is required to purchase this product.

Please follow your veterinarian's specific instructions for the dosage and administration of this medication for your pet.

Disclaimer: Dosage and administration of this medication must be determined by a licensed veterinarian. Always consult your veterinarian before administering or adjusting any prescription medication for your pet.

This tablet can be given with or without food, but making sure your pet has fresh water available throughout the day is important. Tucking the tablet into a soft pill pocket or pill wrap treat is a practical way to stay on schedule with each dose, which matters especially for pets needing multiple doses a day.

Shop Pill Pockets for Dogs | Shop Pill Pockets for Cats

Additional Information

Precautions

• Avoid in AV Block and Sick Sinus Syndrome: Pets with 2nd or 3rd degree AV block, sick sinus syndrome, or severely low blood pressure should not receive this medication.
• Avoid in Acute Heart Attack: Pets going through an acute myocardial infarction or presenting with pulmonary congestion should not be given this medication.
• Caution With Beta-Blockers: Combining with beta-blockers like atenolol needs very careful management, as the combination can trigger dangerous cardiac depression or AV block.
• Caution in Elderly Pets: Older animals need extra care on this medication, as age-related changes in organ function can shift how diltiazem is processed and raise the side effect risk.
• Caution in Liver and Kidney Disease: The liver handles diltiazem's breakdown, so reduced hepatic or renal function calls for veterinary monitoring and possible dose changes.
• Caution in Pregnancy: Let a veterinarian know if the pet is pregnant or nursing before starting, as the safety of this medication in those situations is not fully known.
• Drug Interaction Risk: Share a full list of your pet's current medications, including digoxin, propranolol, cimetidine, and cyclosporine, with your veterinarian before starting diltiazem.

Possible Side Effects

• Slow Heart Rate: A slower than normal heart rate is among the more frequently seen reactions to diltiazem and should be monitored throughout the course of treatment.
• Vomiting in Cats: Some cats experience vomiting on this medication, which often eases when the tablet is given alongside a small amount of food.
• Lethargy and Poor Appetite: Low mood, reduced appetite, and diarrhea can come up and should prompt a veterinary check-in if they stick around during treatment.
• Low Blood Pressure Signs: Weakness, unsteadiness, or fainting may point to blood pressure dropping too low and need prompt veterinary evaluation.
• Serious Cardiac Effects: In rare cases, heart block or dangerous arrhythmias can develop and need immediate emergency veterinary attention.

Storage Information

• Room Temperature: Tablets do best at room temperature inside a tightly closed, light-resistant container, kept away from heat and moisture.
• Protect From Light and Moisture: Direct sunlight and humid areas can wear down the tablet's potency, so a dry, shaded storage spot is the right choice.
• Out of Reach: Keep this medication somewhere children and untreated animals in the home cannot get to it.

NOTE: For generic medications, the product image shown may not reflect the actual item received. Generic medications can vary in size, color, and shape between orders depending on the manufacturer. Additionally, your medication may arrive packaged in a HardyPaw Pharmacy vial.

Shipping & Return

We offer ground, express, and priority delivery; see our shipping policy for details.

For return instructions or product concerns, please refer to our detailed refund policy.

Prescription items are NON-RETURNABLE and NON-REFUNDABLE.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: What is the difference between diltiazem 30mg immediate-release tablets and extended-release capsules?

Ans: The 30mg immediate-release tablet peaks in the bloodstream within 30 to 45 minutes and needs to be given two to three times a day to stay effective. Extended-release capsules are built for once-daily dosing and keep levels steadier throughout the day. A veterinarian will decide which formulation fits the pet's specific cardiac needs.

Q2: Why does the immediate-release tablet need to be given multiple times a day?

Ans: The immediate-release version works for around 6 to 8 hours, so a once-daily approach would leave gaps in cardiac control that could put the pet at risk. Spreading doses throughout the day keeps drug levels steady in the blood and makes sure the heart rate and rhythm stay managed consistently.

Q3: Is it safe to miss a dose of diltiazem in pets with heart disease?

Ans: A missed dose can throw off cardiac control and raise the chance of arrhythmia coming back, which is a real concern in pets with less stable heart conditions. Give the missed dose as soon as it is remembered, unless the next scheduled dose is coming up soon. Doubling up to make up for a missed dose should always be avoided.

Q4: Can diltiazem 30mg be used for emergency cardiac treatment?

Ans: Diltiazem is used both as a home oral maintenance medication and intravenously in a veterinary hospital for acute cardiac situations. The 30mg immediate-release tablet is for ongoing management at home. If a sudden cardiac episode comes on, getting to an emergency veterinary clinic is the right move rather than adjusting the dose at home.

Q5: What signs of overdose should I watch for in a pet taking diltiazem?

Ans: Severe weakness, loss of appetite, pale gums, rapid or labored breathing, and a dangerously slow heart rate are all signs that something may be seriously wrong. Stop the medication and get to a veterinarian or emergency clinic right away if any of these appear, and never give a second dose to compensate for a missed one.